CHARGE Syndrome Foundation - Conference 2009: Policies

Resources

9th International CHARGE Syndrome Conference

2009 Conference Policies

All accommodations are dependent upon budgetary constraints.

Sign Language Interpreting

The CHARGE Syndrome Foundation will provide sign language interpreting services for the program at the 2009 conference. Additionally, some personnel in the childcare area will be able to sign. No one-on-one interpreting will be offered in the program or childcare settings. All other interpreting needs will be the responsibility of the individual attendee. In order to assess sign language interpreting needs, registrants will be required to make their requests no later than June 1, 2009. Requests made after the deadline may not be fulfilled.

Alternate Formats for Conference Materials

Conference materials will be available on a data CD (not audio or video) for individuals who need visual accommodations. Additionally, the program schedule will be available in Braille format for those who request it if requested prior to June 1, 2009.

Support Service Providers

No Support Service Providers will be provided by the Foundation. Individuals needing this service will need to make their own arrangements.

Language

The official language of the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation conference is English. Spanish translation may be available on a limited basis and is subject to a strict request deadline of June 1, 2009. Other translation will be the responsibility of the individual attendee.

Childcare & Youth Services Policies

The CHARGE Syndrome Foundation provides childcare and youth services at the conference as a support for parents to enable them to attend program sessions. It is not meant to be an instructional setting, but "sitting" with children with some added structure. The Foundation does not provide one-on-one support in childcare although it is available for an additional fee ($138.00 per child) *arranged directly with the childcare company no later than June 15, 2009.

In response to family feedback from previous conferences, two childcare settings will be available at the 2009 conference in order to provide options for families. One camp will have more structure, a lower staff to child ratio and a sensory room for families who believe their child will benefit from greater structure. Parents will choose which camp they prefer for their child and if a change is necessary at the conference, the childcare company will do everything possible to accommodate the change. Siblings can remain together and age group assignments within each camp will be made based on the input of the parents and not on the chronological age alone. Some activities will occur with the two camps together.

Other guidelines are as follows:

Parents must pre-register their children with Coroporate Kids Events. *Online registration is available from the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web site.
Parents must register their children at the conference at the scheduled times as outlined in the conference program schedule.
There will be no medical care in the childcare area. Parents are responsible for all medically related activities including, but not limited to, medication administration, tube feedings, suctioning, etc.
No one-on-one sign language interpreting will be available in childcare; however, there will be some staff who sign in order to facilitate communication with children who sign.
No food will be brought into the childcare area in order to avoid any food allergy complications. If snacks are needed, parents may take the child outside the childcare area for the snack.
Diapers will not be changed by staff for children above the age of 4 years. Parents will be called to the childcare area to change diapers for children older than 4.
Childcare providers (nurses, aides, etc.) brought by families, who intend to stay in the childcare area with the child, will need to go through the same background check procedures as all childcare staff and volunteers.
People who are not registered with childcare may not enter the childcare area. Nametags are required to be worn by anyone entering the childcare area and parents/caregivers, etc.
Siblings can be grouped together if requested by the family. Additionally, siblings may enter childcare to check on their sibling as long as parents have indicated that is okay when registering the child at the conference.
Anyone picking up a child from the childcare area will be required to present the security tag they were given when their child entered the childcare area. There is only one tag per child so if someone different is picking up the child, they will need to pass the tag to the person who is picking up the child.
Parents are required to stay on the hotel property and be reachable.
Parents must be on time to pick up children.
If children become disruptive and affect the quality or safety within the childcare program, parents will be asked to remove them from the childcare area. No fee refunds will be given.
The fee for childcare applies whether the child stays the entire time or is a drop-in participant.

Parents, siblings, relatives, other caregivers, etc. must adhere to all of the above guidelines. These guidelines are designed for the safety and program integrity for all participants in the childcare program.

I have read and understand all of the conference policies. I agree to comply with all of the policies and guidelines as they apply to all persons registered at the conference who are associated with the registration form.